Bolton musician achieves singing dream in his 50s

Tim Blackburn, 58, from Little Lever, has loved creating music throughout his life mostly creating remixes on this keyboard and on his computer but lacked the confidence to do open mic nights and live performances, which he so wanted to do.

And then in April this year, the technician manager at the University of Salford decided to just go for it and now five months on, Tim said live music has changed his life and he is now a more ‘positive, outgoing person’.

Tim said: “I started off doing live music this year in April, there is something called the Electronic Music open mic nights.

"I started off there doing one or two of those several years ago and then I started doing them again in April.

“Then I did two or three more open mic nights in Manchester and then I started doing open mic nights at Bar Four in The Vaults.

“Will Edgar who was on the Voice Kids does one every month in the bar there, so I’ve done those, and I’ve played at three HMV stores too.

“For a long time, I haven’t had the courage because of my age to perform live, I have been making music on and off over the years but not really doing anything about it, I would make remixes for people online.

Tim performing (Image: Jess Evans)

“I didn’t have the courage to play live or the opportunity really because most of the stuff I have done is mainly on computers.

“And one day I just thought to myself because of age if I am going to do it, if I want to play live, I needed to go and do something about it really.

“It is a massive buzz, as a teenager I played the keyboard and I was in a little band with my brother and friends and never really thought about live music, but I forgot how much of a massive buzz it is to perform.

“My family, my wife, and kids, have been brilliant supporting me and pushing me to do these events and they have seen a massive difference in me because I used to be so shy and retiring but it has given me a massive boost in confidence and - like why haven’t I done this before?

• ALSO READ: Bolton Market Place partners with Bar Four to showcase new Patio Bar

Tim said he wants to inspire other people who want to do the same just to 'go for it', he said: “I would tell people of a similar age who want to go into live music to just do it, "I’ve known a lot of people over the years who do the sort of music I do who have limited opportunities to do live music because of their age and I would just say go for it and just do it and contact people and build up that confidence.

Tim performing in HMV (Image: Jess Evans)

“I recently took part in Glaston-Bury and 12 months ago I wouldn’t have done anything like that at all.

“I just put myself forward for the open mic part of the event and ended up jamming with Aziz Ibrahim who is a really famous guitarist and played along with him so you know those sorts of things would never have happened if I hadn’t of thought of getting into it and trying it.”

The new Patio Bar at the Market Place Shopping Centre gives musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents.

• ALSO READ: Play by the author of The Gruffalo author coming to Bolton

Tim said: “I think it gives people the opportunity to perform, same as Bar Four open mic nights, in a relaxed, friendly, supportive environment where it is safe with kids as young as eight being able to showcase their talents.

“The managers of Bar Four, Paul and Lisa, are there to support you when you take to the stage.

“Patio Bar gives people a base to start off with and lets them think if I can play here, I can play in other places too.

“It is people like Paul and Lisa who give people a chance – people like that who have given me a chance, I can’t thank them enough really.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.